Retail sales continue annual growth trend, says ONS

UK retail sales rose for the 39th consecutive year-on-year growth in July 2016, highlighting little impact from the result of the EU Brexit vote.

According to the latest retail sales report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the total volume of sales rose by 5.9% compared with July 2015, with all sectors showing growth, whilst in comparison to last month, the quantity bought increased by 1.4%.

Total value of sales in the retail industry increased by 3.6% compared with July 2015 and 1.6% compared with June 2016.

Online retail sales continued to grow, up by 16.7% on last year, and also rising by 1.2% from last month.

Average store prices fell by 2% in July 2016 compared with July 2015, whilst compared with last month, there was a decline of 0.8%.

Stated within the report, ONS said: “Annual growth in retail sales strengthened in July 2016, continuing the trend seen in the last few years. This was mainly driven by department stores but also clothing, which may have been influenced by unusually warm weather in July.”